The ATAK Helicopter Program first started in October 1996, with the aim of providing the Turkish Land Forces Command with 51 firm and 41 optional Attack/Tactical Reconnaissance helicopters, was cancelled by the Undersecretariat for Defence Industries Executive Committee decision dated 14 May 2004. The ATAK Helicopter Program aims to provide the Turkish Land Forces Command with an Attack/Tactical Reconnaissance helicopter that will be; customized according to user needs, produced and provided with integrated logistics support.
The Undersecretariat for Defence Industries (SSM) published a new Request for Proposal (RFP) on 10 February 2005 and re-opened bidding for the ATAK Helicopter Program. AgustaWestland, Eurocopter, KAMOV and Denel submitted bids in response to the new RFP. The Undersecretariat for Defence Industries Executive Committee announced AgustaWestland as the winning bidder after its meeting on 30 March 2007. Subsequently TAI, SSM, ASELSAN and AgustaWestland stared contract negotiations. The negotiations were finalized on 27 August 2007 and the contract was signed on 7 September 2007.
In the ATAK Helicopter Program, TAI will be the prime contractor, with AgustaWestland and ASELSAN being TAI’s subcontractors. As part of the ATAK Helicopter Program the following agreements were signed:
• TAI-SSM Prime Contract
• TAI-AgustaWestland Major Subcontract Agreement
• TAI-AgustaWestland Collaboration Agreement
• TAI-ASELSAN Subcontract Agreement
As Prime Contractor of the ATAK Program, TAI has work share in the following areas:
• Program and Contract Management
• System Integration
• Production
• Engineering
• Integrated Logistics Support
In collaboration with AgustaWestland, TAI will define the operational and functional requirements specifications of the ATAK Helicopter. As part of this, TAI will be responsible for managing ASELSAN’s workshare, which includes designing the hardware and software (including software integration) of the ATAK Mission Computer and procurement of all mission systems, including weapon systems. TAI is also responsible for harmonizing the program as a whole and managing the agreements reached with its subcontractors.
As part of its System Integration activities, TAI will perform the following activities to form the T-129 ATAK Helicopter configuration based on the existing A-129 CBT Helicopter:
• Integrating the Mission Equipment Package (Avionics and Weapons) on the helicopter to satisfy the System Performance Specifications,
• Achieving the design and production activities required for integrating the software and hardware of the Mission Equipment Package,
• Completing the following Test and Qualification activities aimed at achieving the T-129 ATAK Helicopter configuration:
• Functional Acceptance Tests
• EMI/EMC Tests
• Ground Tests
• Flight Tests
• T-129 ATAK Helicopter Qualification.
In accordance with the work share agreed upon with AgustaWestland, TAI shall carry out final assembly and flight operations, component and sub-assembly production, detail parts and electrical harness fabrication, tool/fixture design and production for parts included in TAI manufacturing workshare, support and test equipment procurement for parts included in TAI manufacturing Workshare and fabrication and assembly of structural/electrical components unique to the ATAK Helicopter. TAI shall also perform the following activities aimed at creating the T-129 ATAK Helicopter from the AgustaWestland Basic Configuration Helicopter;
• Performance and Flight Mechanics Analyses,
• Structural Modification,
• Airworthiness and Qualification,
• Operational, system/sub system and functional definitions of the ASELSAN designed system,
• Electrical and Group-A Kit Modification,
• SIL Acceptance Tests, ground, flight and EMI/EMC Tests,
TAI shall also commit to the final design and performance of the helicopter to SSM. TAI shall also provide active participation to the engine replacement, Automatic Flight Control System and Air Vehicle Management System modification activities taking place at AgustaWestland facilities.
As prime contractor of the ATAK Program, TAI shall perform the following activities as part of Integrated Logistics Support:
• Prepare the T-129 ATAK Helicopter ILS Data Package by utilizing the ILS Data Package modules (maintenance and pilot handbooks etc.) received from AgustaWestland and ASELSAN,
• Perform Logistics Support Analysis as an extension of TAI design activities,
• Train T-129 ATAK Helicopter Pilot and Maintenance Personnel,
• Manage and coordinate the Warranty, Support Equipment and Spare Parts of the T-129 ATAK and Basic Configuration Helicopters,
• Provide Technical Support through Field Services Representatives based at 4 different TLF bases for a duration of 3 years,
• Conduct Codification activities aimed at obtaining NATO Stock Numbers (NSN) for the components and equipment of the T-129 ATAK and Basic Configuration Helicopters.
The planned duration of the ATAK Program is 114 months from Contract Effectivity with T-129 ATAK Helicopter qualification planned for 58 months and delivery of the first serial production helicopter planned for 60 months after Contract Effectivity. Delivery of the first 7 helicopters to the customer will be once every two months, with the remaining helicopters being delivered once a month, with the last ATAK Helicopter being delivered to the customer at 114 months from Contract Effectivity.
With the Collaboration Agreement signed with AgustaWestland, TAI shall have;
- Intellectual property rights of the new configuration of the helicopter
- Sole sourcing rights in the world for the fuselage, including Final Assembly and Flight Operations
- Sales rights for the whole world excluding Italy and England
TURKISH AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES INC.